Vahid Hadi; Majid Ghayour Mobarhan; Golnaz Ranjbar; Mohamad Ali Sardar; Arasb Dabbagh Moghaddam; Mohsen Nematy; Reza Rezvani; Naseh Pahlavani; Saeid Hadi; Abdolreza Norouzy; Mostafa Mazaheri Tehrani
Volume 22, Issue 3 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Under difficult conditions, the military need high-energy macronutrients and micronutrients during intense physical activities in order to achieve optimal fitness levels.
Objectives: This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a designed compact food bar (CFB) ...
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Background: Under difficult conditions, the military need high-energy macronutrients and micronutrients during intense physical activities in order to achieve optimal fitness levels.
Objectives: This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a designed compact food bar (CFB) on the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2Max) and physical fitness in military athletes.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 50 athletes aged 20 - 50 years, who were assigned into two experimental and control groups. The subjects in the compact food bar (CFB) received three packs of CFB (700 kcal each), containing functional compounds (e.g., caffeine and L-arginine), every day for 10 days. The control group consumed the regular food used in military training courses with the same daily calorie count for the same period. The exercise performance was assessed using sports tests, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2Max) as a measure of cardio-respiratory endurance in vitro, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, blood pressure, and anthropometric examinations based on the participants body composition and physical activity. The measurements were performed using a pedometer, and the data were recorded at baseline and after the intervention. The data was then analyzed in SPSS software version 16.
Results: VO2Max and some of the exercise tests, including push-up, sit-and-reach test, and jump pair length, revealed significant increases in CFB group, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, the concerned variable seemed to have no significant effects on the anthropometric indices (weight and body mass index) and body composition (lean body mass and body fat mass) in CFB group (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: According to the findings, the consumption of the proposed CFB, in comparison to regular food, could effectively improve the exercise performance in military athletes.
Hossein Mirzaei; Behzad Damari
Volume 22, Issue 3 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Health survey is one of the important and valuable methods in producing health indicators and has become a part of health information system. Health surveys planned and performed properly can be used in assessing population health, policy-making, planning, health monitoring, evaluating, ...
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Background: Health survey is one of the important and valuable methods in producing health indicators and has become a part of health information system. Health surveys planned and performed properly can be used in assessing population health, policy-making, planning, health monitoring, evaluating, and observatories.
Objectives: The present paper is the product of a project to establish a calendar for health observatory studies, which has to compatible with Iran's Sustainable Development Plans.
Methods: The main question of this qualitative study was: "what are the reasons and solutions for having up-to-date, sufficient, quality information, and how could we ensure they are being carried out?" Data collection methods included interviews, reviewing documents and records, and interviewing focus groups of Iranian experts and health policy-makers.
Results: Thirty-one health observatory studies, concurrent with Iran's five-year Socioeconomic Development Plans, passed the consensus of stakeholders. The span of time to conduct each study was determined based on five-year Development Plans and national and international organizations' requests for certain information.
Conclusions: If the policy-makers are constantly pleased with up-to-date, sufficient, and quality information, sustainability of sticking to this calendar can be secured. The effective factors in successful implementation of this calendar is timely financing, defining health observatory survey and study protocols, apportioning duties among valid research centers, training interviewers not affiliated with health system, maintaining of experienced Iranian and international legal observers, assessing performance method of each survey, and implementing the results and findings in the future.
Zahra Hashemi Dehaghi; Soad Mahfoozpour; Mahmoud Modiri; Fateme Alipour
Volume 22, Issue 3 , 2020
Abstract
Background: The expansion of activities and performance areas of organizations and modern management issues imply that organizations are no longer satisfied with success in only a limited number of elements. Mathematical models, thus, were formed and gradually developed for assessing organizations ...
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Background: The expansion of activities and performance areas of organizations and modern management issues imply that organizations are no longer satisfied with success in only a limited number of elements. Mathematical models, thus, were formed and gradually developed for assessing organizations and providing the right tools.
Objectives: This study was conducted to provide a model for improving the quality of services to patients with cataracts.
Methods: The study population consisted of 20 experts in health service management in one group and 396 patients in another group. The data were used for the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). The first group consisted of 20 experts selected for the localization of the quality of services and the ISM. This applied descriptive-analytical study used the Fuzzy Delphi method for selecting the elements of the quality of services, the importance-performance analysis for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of these elements, and the Interpretive-Structural modeling for improving the elements of the quality of services by prioritizing the effect of the factors.
Results: The eye hospital has to pay immediate attention to elements including "reliability", "support services", "knowledge of personnel", "waiting time", "assurance", "sympathy", "decorum and modesty", "understanding the patients", "patients' safety", "continuous services", "complaints management", "cleanness/tidiness of environment," and "rapid provision of services" to improve the quality of its services.
Conclusions: Interpretive structural modeling showed that two variables "technology and innovation" and "reliability" acted as the cornerstone of the model and they should be emphasized first and foremost for the system to begin functioning.
Mohammad Bagher Fathi
Volume 22, Issue 3 , 2020
Abstract
Background: The materials science may come to assist pharmacists to fabricate new drugs for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Objectives: The geometrical structure of elements on the surface of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is analyzed to illustrate some hints ...
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Background: The materials science may come to assist pharmacists to fabricate new drugs for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Objectives: The geometrical structure of elements on the surface of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is analyzed to illustrate some hints about the possible choosing the factors captivating the surface of SARS-CoV-2.
Methods: The crystallographic classes and their sub-structures can be indicative of practical selection of macromolecules in drug pharmacy.
Results: The macromolecular structures with hexagonal and its sub-structures are suggested for pharmacists to probe a novel drug for COVID-19.
Conclusions: Any progress in the field of fabricating macromolecular drugs for COVID-19 is strongly dependent on finding the hexagonal and its sub-structures such as triangular and rhombus geometries.
Fei He; Yuhang Ma; Bo Yu; Renxin Ji; Jianqiang Lu; Wenhua Chen
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a frequently occurring and common oral and maxillofacial disease with relevant clinical issues (such as pain, clicking sound, and difficulty in opening the mouth). Kinesio taping (KT) is a typical soft tissue taping technique that plays a role in relieving ...
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Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a frequently occurring and common oral and maxillofacial disease with relevant clinical issues (such as pain, clicking sound, and difficulty in opening the mouth). Kinesio taping (KT) is a typical soft tissue taping technique that plays a role in relieving pain, relaxing muscles, and increasing proprioception.
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the function of the KT technique in the rehabilitation of TMD.
Methods: In this prospective study, 60 TMD patients (group I disorders, muscle disorders) were recruited from the outpatients of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Shanghai First Peoples Hospital, China, between June 2016 and September 2016 based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into the control, short wave, and taping groups using a random number table, with 20 cases in each group. Different rehabilitation methods were applied according to the grouping. The course of treatment was six days. The estimations of the Fricton craniomandibular index (CMI), Self-Rating Anxiety scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression scale (SDS) were conducted in pretherapy and post-treatment by a physician who was blinded to the patients groups.
Results: No significant differences were observed between patients in the three groups (P > 0.05) in pretherapy in the temporomandibular joint dysfunction index (DI), muscle palpation index (PI), CMI, SAS, and SDS. In post-treatment, the CMI in the short wave and taping groups was significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The SAS in the taping group improved significantly compared to the control and short wave groups (P < 0.05). The SDS in the short wave group improved significantly compared to the control and taping groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Taken together, KT effectively improved the dysfunction and mood of TMD patients with the group I disorders, thereby necessitating further investigation for widespread application.
Meiling Yu; Benquan Qi; Qi Zou; Shengyong Zheng; Chen Liu; Jingbo Ma
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Introduction: Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (EM) is a non-fermenting Gram-negative bacterium that is a conditional pathogen and easily causes infection in neonates and immunocompromised patients. The infection of the bacterium is prone to develop multi-drug resistance, difficult to treat, ...
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Introduction: Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (EM) is a non-fermenting Gram-negative bacterium that is a conditional pathogen and easily causes infection in neonates and immunocompromised patients. The infection of the bacterium is prone to develop multi-drug resistance, difficult to treat, and associated with a high mortality rate.
Case Presentation: A 28-year-old female was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital due to fulminant myocarditis, cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) on 24 April 2019. The patient developed a lung infection and sepsis after admission. Two sputum culture tests on 27 April and 4 May showed infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and multi-drug resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for imipenem was 4 mg/L and 8 mg/L, respectively. Four blood cultures on 9 May suggested an EM infection and multi-drug resistance, the MIC for imipenem was ? 16 mg/L. Due to the serious condition of the patient, imipenem-resistant lung infection, and typical sepsis manifestations, we initiated a regimen of polymyxin B combined with meropenem between 3 and 12 May. The infection was well-controlled and the patient was discharged on 14 May.
Conclusions: A polymyxin B-based combinational regimen is effective in the treatment of sepsis due to EM and play an important role in controlling EM-associated mixed infections.
Ali Seyed Resuli
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: There are many risk factors for childhood tinnitus such as hearing loss, exposure to high pitch sound, and passive smoking. Cotinine (C) is one of the metabolites of nicotine and is an important biochemical marker that reveals the objective and numerical indication of smoking exposure. ...
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Background: There are many risk factors for childhood tinnitus such as hearing loss, exposure to high pitch sound, and passive smoking. Cotinine (C) is one of the metabolites of nicotine and is an important biochemical marker that reveals the objective and numerical indication of smoking exposure. Although there is a study investigating the role of urinary C levels in the etiology of tinnitus (T), the role of salivary C levels has not yet been elucidated.
Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the risk factors of idiopathic subjective T in children in terms of passive smoking and whether the salivary C level can be used as a novel marker for monitoring and follow-up of T.
Methods: We retrospectively studied 1,245 children aged 7 - 15 years with T. We excluded 830 patients (66.5%) whose total tinnitus diagnosis was confirmed due to organic causes such as middle ear pathology and hearing loss. The remaining 415 (33.5%) patients with subjective T and 200 healthy individuals constituted the study and control groups. Complete blood counts, routine biochemical tests, and salivary C levels of children with T and controls were measured and their parents were also evaluated.
Results: In univariate analysis, parents C, childrens C, ALP, and erythrocyte levels were significantly associated with T (P < 0.001 in all). Regarding laboratory values, erythrocyte and serum ALP levels were significantly associated with T (P < 0.001 in both) in univariate analysis (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98 to 0.99 for erythrocyte and OR, 157.04; 95% CI, 44.7 to 551.6 for serum ALP level). No significant relationships were found between other parameters. These four parameters that were found to be significant in the univariate analysis showed meaningful associations with T in multivariate analysis (P < 0.01 for parents C and P < 0.001 for other parameters). It was also observed that as the C levels increased in the parents, the C level also increased in children.
Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between salivary C levels and parental salivary C levels in children. This suggests that the salivary C be used for evaluating the etiology of T in children and monitoring children with T exposed to cigarette smoke.
Alireza Jahantabi; Farzaneh Hosseini; Mohammad Asgharzadeh; Abbas Akhavan Sepehi; Hossein Samadi Kafil
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance has steadily increased and also the antibiotic-resistant strains producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC beta-lactamases have emerged among the Enterobacteriaceae, predominantly in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella ...
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Background: In recent years, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance has steadily increased and also the antibiotic-resistant strains producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC beta-lactamases have emerged among the Enterobacteriaceae, predominantly in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae species.
Objectives: This prospective study aimed at determining the production of ESBL or AmpC, phenotypically and also at the molecular level, in E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates collected from various clinical specimens.
Methods: In total, 78 K. pneumoniae and 92 E. coli isolates were collected from various clinical infectious sources available in different wards of the Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, from July 2017 to December 2018. All isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. MAST 4-disc test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were applied for phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESBLs and plasmid-encoded AmpCs (pAmpCs) among isolates, respectively.
Results: Overall, 78 K. pneumoniae and 92 E. coli isolates were evaluated, of which 46 K. pneumoniae (58.9%) and 51 E. coli (55.4%) isolates were resistant to cefotaxime/ceftazidime and included in the study. Among the K. pneumoniae and E. coli isolates resistant to cefotaxime/ceftazidime, 40 (86.9%) and 40 (78.4%) isolates were ESBL producers and 8 (17.3%) and 2 (3.9%) isolates were pAmpC producers, respectively. In addition, 40 E. coli (78.4%) isolates were positive for both CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-15 genes. Regarding K. pneumoniae isolates, 40 isolates (86.9%) were positive for CTX-M-15 gene and 18 isolates (39.1%) for CTX-M-14 gene. Among 51 ceftazidime/cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates, 32 isolates (62.7%) were positive for DHA-1 gene and 33 isolates (64.7%) isolates for CMY-2 gene. Also, among 46 ceftazidime/cefotaxime-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates, 15 isolates (32.6%) had DHA-1 gene and 27 isolates (58.7%) had CMY-2 gene in the genome.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of ESBL and AmpC production among E. coil and K. pneumoniae isolates was a serious concern in the studied region. Therefore, a simple and rapid PCR-based technique is essential to detect and distinguish various pAmpC and ESBL genes to discriminate other resistance determinants
Elaheh Gholami Roudmajani; Nasim Hayati Roodbari; Mahdi Goudarzvand; Kazem Parivar
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Prenatal maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure causes behavioral deficits in adulthood. LPS-exposure cause oxidative damage and cytokines production. In contrast, astaxanthin (Ast) is a carotenoid antioxidant that shows protective effects through its antioxidant capacity.
Objectives: This ...
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Background: Prenatal maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure causes behavioral deficits in adulthood. LPS-exposure cause oxidative damage and cytokines production. In contrast, astaxanthin (Ast) is a carotenoid antioxidant that shows protective effects through its antioxidant capacity.
Objectives: This study investigates the effect of prenatal treatment with astaxanthin on the behavioral deficit (including sexual, depressive, and anxiety-like behavior) caused by prenatal maternal LPS in adult male offspring.
Methods: Pregnant mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) control, (2) LPS: injecting with LPS (20 µg/kg, sc.) on gestation day 11, (3) Ast: receiving astaxanthin (4 mg/kg for 3 days, i.p.) on 11 - 13th gestation day, (4) LPS+Ast: injecting with LPS (20 µg/kg, sc.) on gestation day 11 and receiving astaxanthin (4 mg/kg for 3 days, i.p.) on 11 - 13th gestation day. Then in each group, 23 day old male offspring (3 and 12 male children from each mother and group, respectively) were separated from mothers and then the sexual, depressive and anxiety-like behaviors were examined in adult male mice.
Results: Findings showed that prenatal LPS-exposed mice had more anxiety and spent less time in open arms of the elevated plus-maze test (P < 0.05). In addition, it decreased sexual behaviors, the amount of which was significant in the number of sniffing, following behaviors (P < 0.01). Also, there was no significant difference between different groups in the forced swimming test (P < 0.05). On the other hand, prenatal treatment with astaxanthin significantly elevated the percentage of open arm time and open arm entry, without altering in locomotor activity (P < 0.05). Also, it significantly increased sexual behavior in Ast and LPS+Ast groups (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that prenatal maternal exposure to LPS impaired several aspects of male sexual behavior and resulted in behavioral deficits in adulthood, while astaxanthin has an antianxiety effect and improves the deficits of sexual behavior presumably via its antioxidant property.
Donya Farrokh; Niloofar Nazeri
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatic lipomas are rare benign lesions of the liver with characteristic findings on imaging, which differentiate them from other more important tumors of the liver and prevent unessential invasive procedures.
Case Presentation: A 62-year-old man with intense acute dyspnea referred ...
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Introduction: Hepatic lipomas are rare benign lesions of the liver with characteristic findings on imaging, which differentiate them from other more important tumors of the liver and prevent unessential invasive procedures.
Case Presentation: A 62-year-old man with intense acute dyspnea referred to our emergency department in Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad city, Iran. We performed initial diagnostic tests, Chest X-Ray (CXR), and non-contrast lung CT scan for further evaluation. Laboratory tests were in the normal range, but two well-defined lobulated masses with typical features of lipomas were noted on abdominal sections of plain CT scan in the patient's liver. The aim of this report is to define the characteristic appearance of these benign neoplasms on imaging techniques and to help exclude some more prevalent hepatic tumors with similar appearances without invasive procedures.
Conclusions: Although there are numerous fat-containing lesions in the liver and some have heterogeneous and atypical features, it is often possible to make a definitive diagnosis of hepatic lipomas based on their typical imaging features, including pure fat density on CT scan, well-defined margins, chemical shift artifact on MRI, etc.
Tayebeh Rakhshani; Zahra Sadat Asadi; Mahdi Akbarzadeh
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Disease patterns have changed from communicable to non-communicable diseases, which are the leading causes of mortality around the globe. Health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) could be effective in the prevention of disease and the development of metabolic syndrome.
Objectives: The ...
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Background: Disease patterns have changed from communicable to non-communicable diseases, which are the leading causes of mortality around the globe. Health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) could be effective in the prevention of disease and the development of metabolic syndrome.
Objectives: The objectives of the current study are (1) determination of the level of the HPBs and; (2) understand the predictive role of the HPBs of the metabolic indicators in the employees of the Red Crescent Society (RCS) based in Shiraz in Iran.
Methods: This is a descriptive and analytical study, in which all 402 employees of the RCS participated. This study used a Census method and was done in 2018. The validation of this HPBs model was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model. Relationships between the HPBs dimensions and metabolic indicators were obtained with Pearson correlation. Data analyzed with the SPSS and Amos software.
Results: We found that the goodness of fit of the HPBs model was acceptable, which is indicated by the value of equal to 1.22 and the RMSEA value equal to 0.025. In addition, the standard estimated effect of physical activity on the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, body mass index, and hypertension was significant (P < 0.01). Regarding the aspects of the HPBs, the health responsibility had a higher mean score (24.92 ± 5.23), than the other parameters. In this study, physical activity had the strongest role in the HPBs model.
Sara Zakerin; Homa Hajimehdipoor; Seyed Alireza Mortazavi; Masoumeh Sabetkasaei; Rasool Choopani; Shirin Fahimi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Herbal medicines are preferred over chemical medications for a wide range of mental disorders such as depression. "Monzej-e soda" is a polyherbal combination that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for several years to cure different mood disorders with similar signs to depression. ...
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Background: Herbal medicines are preferred over chemical medications for a wide range of mental disorders such as depression. "Monzej-e soda" is a polyherbal combination that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for several years to cure different mood disorders with similar signs to depression. Traditional formulations should be reformulated to reach pharmacopoeial standards as modern medicines.
Objectives: In this study, "Monzej-e soda" was reformulated and its quality control and antidepressant evaluations were performed to present a standard and efficacious formulation.
Methods: The aqueous extract of the mixture of Echium amoenum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Ziziphus jujuba, Cordia myxa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Fumaria parviflora, Adiantum capillus-veneris, and Alhagi spp. manna was dried with the spray drying method. Dried extract and various ingredients at different ratios were used to produce 13 experimental tablet formulations and several pre- and post-formulation tests were performed to select the best formulation. The formulation was evaluated physico-chemically. The accelerated stability test was performed on the tablets, as well. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of tablets was evaluated by the forced swimming test. The serum levels of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were measured in rats. Finally, histopathological examinations were performed on the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Results: Among different formulations, the best one was a combination of dried extract (490 mg), maltodextrin (189 mg), colloidal silicon dioxide (21 mg), and croscarmellose sodium (2%). The hardness, weight, friability, disintegration time, dissolution percentage, and total phenolic content were 6.98 kg/cm2, 715.76 mg, 0.7%, 12.0 min, 97.46% in one hour, and 31.4 mg/tab, respectively. No significant changes were seen in the product in the accelerated stability test. The polyherbal tablet produced significant antidepressant effects through the decrease in immobility time, which was mediated via an increase in NA and 5-HT levels. It had no effect on the BDNF level. In addition, tablets had no toxic effects on the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Conclusions: "Monzej-e soda" tablet can be considered a suitable antidepressant drug and used in patients after passing clinical trial tests.
Zahra Farahani; Kazem Parivar; Nasim Hayati Roodbari; Mona Farhadi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Cancer is currently the second leading cause of death worldwide that is originated from cell growth and proliferation without control. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the types of leukemia that affects lymphocyte maturation and it is common among children. Silver nanoparticles ...
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Background: Cancer is currently the second leading cause of death worldwide that is originated from cell growth and proliferation without control. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the types of leukemia that affects lymphocyte maturation and it is common among children. Silver nanoparticles are considered one of the targeted chemotherapy methods by creating cytotoxicity.
Objectives: In this research, a comparative study of cytotoxic effect of silver nanoparticles was evaluated on human lymphocytes and HPB-ALL cell line as an in vitro study.
Methods: In this experimental study, lymphocytes and HPB-ALL cell line were exposed to silver nanoparticles at RPMI 1640 medium culture in order to assess toxicity for 24 hours. To this aim, MTT assay was used to evaluate the toxicity of the silver nanoparticles. DNA fragmentation and apoptosis were evaluated by Gel Electrophoresis and Flow Cytometry, respectively. Moreover, quantitative PCR was performed on bax, bcl-2, and caspase-9 genes.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed IC50 values of silver nanoparticles were 5.87 and 2.68 ?g/mL for lymphocytes and HPB-ALL cell line, respectively. The results showed that silver nanoparticles could split DNA of the HPB-ALL cell line more than DNA of the lymphocytes during DNA fragmentation. Flow Cytometry results indicated that the early apoptosis was 6.04% and 22.75% in lymphocytes and HPB-ALL cell line, respectively. Moreover, Q-PCR results showed a significant up-regulation of caspase-9 and bax genes and downregulation of bcl-2 gene in comparison to the control group.
Conclusions: The silver nanoparticles had cytotoxic effects on the lymphocytes and HPB-ALL cell line. The results showed that the silver nanoparticle had a significant cytotoxic effect on HPB-ALL cell line.
Shiva Khayatimotlagh; Elham Ebrahimi; Seyed Moayed Alavian; Maryam Hassani; Masud Yunesian; Afsaneh Keramat; Marjan Hassani; Nahid Bolbolhaghighi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B is a problematic condition which can affect both patients and health systems. The fetus health effect, transmissibility of infection, disease screening during pregnancy and confronting the disease during pregnancy as a new diagnosis case have made this disease close to the ...
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Background: Hepatitis B is a problematic condition which can affect both patients and health systems. The fetus health effect, transmissibility of infection, disease screening during pregnancy and confronting the disease during pregnancy as a new diagnosis case have made this disease close to the reproductive health domain. A health need assessment is a first step in designing an equality health service, the aim of this study was the development and validation of the health need questionnaire of hepatitis B affected women in the reproductive health domain.
Methods: Based on the specific design, this study had two phases. At the first step to develop the instrument, we conducted some qualitative interviews with hepatitis B affected women and reproductive health care providers. After analyzing, we developed a health need questionnaire, the psychometric characteristics of which were determined in the second phase.
Results: After analyzing the data, we received 88 codes and 186 items. The research team removed 9 items during the face and content validity based on the cut off point of Impact Score, content validity ratio (CVR) and the content validity index(CVI). To elucidate, the questionnaire with 79 items developed in the psychometric evaluation phase. Internal consistency of the total scale was good with Cronbach alpha coefficient 0.87, and Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.84 that indicated good stability. In the construct validity by exploratory factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index was higher than 0.90 and also the Bartlett test of sphericity was significant (P < 0.001). Concerning the cumulative percentage of the variance, the 4 factors determined 54.99% of the total variance.
Conclusions: This study lead to development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate the health needs of hepatitis B affected women in the reproductive health domain
Atefeh Shahbazi; Mohammad Hasan Naseh; Masoud Habibi; Reza Shirazi; Hamid Choobineh; Seyed Mohammad Akrami
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Vitiligo is a long-term multifactorial polygenic disorder, characterized by the patchy loss of pigments in the skin. Several treatments including therapeutic creams and oral drugs are used to treat vitiligo with varying degrees of success. Some medical treatments can reduce the severity ...
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Background: Vitiligo is a long-term multifactorial polygenic disorder, characterized by the patchy loss of pigments in the skin. Several treatments including therapeutic creams and oral drugs are used to treat vitiligo with varying degrees of success. Some medical treatments can reduce the severity of the disease, but it is difficult to cure the disorder. Autologous non-cultured melanocyte transplantation is an effective method of vitiligo treatment. The utilization of appropriate cell suspension is a safe and efficient strategy to cure such hypopigmentation disorder.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to follow up patients suffering from generalized and stable vitiligo who were treated with transplanted cells. Patients with patches in four different parts (forehead, eyelids, trunks, and hands) were selected because skin thickness varied among different body parts. We compared melanin repigmentation in these areas.
Methods: We recruited 39 patients with generalized and stable vitiligo who had patches on their forehead, eyelids, trunks, and hands. Partial grafts were taken from the gluteal regions of all patients. Epidermal cells including non-cultured melanocyte and keratinocyte suspensions were enzymatically isolated and found to be of > 98% viability. Cells were injected intraepidemally. After a 12-month follow-up, repigmentation was observed.
Results: The mean repigmentation score continued to improve up to 12 months post-transplantation. The obtained results confirmed that the cellular suspension that consisted of a mixture of epidermal cells improved to restore the normal color of the repigmentation rate. The number of received cells per cm2 positively influenced the repigmentation score. Patches located on the face, neck, and trunk areas showed significantly higher responses to treatment. The pigmentation score was classified as "poor" (1% - 25%), "moderate" (26% - 50%), and "good" (51% - 75%). This study is a research and clinical study with a brief report registered with the Ethics Committee of Avicenna Research Institute, clinical trials (letter number: 93/22/01/89), Tehran, Iran.
Conclusions: The application of autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte cell suspension could restore the patchy skin color to a near-normal level and the majority of the patients were satisfied with the results.
Leila Kasraian; Sahar Hosseini; Mohammad Salehi Marzijarani; Alireza Ebrahimi; Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major bloodborne diseases worldwide. Although many screening tests were introduced and utilized for blood donations, as the main source of HCV transmission, it has still remained a global concern.
Evidence Acquisition: The prevalence ...
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Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major bloodborne diseases worldwide. Although many screening tests were introduced and utilized for blood donations, as the main source of HCV transmission, it has still remained a global concern.
Evidence Acquisition: The prevalence of HCV infection among blood donors in every country and every WHO region was investigated. A Comprehensive electronic systematic search algorithm in the international databases PubMed, ISI, Scopus, and ProQuest were adopted for articles published until October 2016, using the following keywords: ("Blood Donors" OR "blood donation" OR "donor" OR "donation" OR "blood" OR "blood safety" OR "bloodborne" OR "residual risk" OR "transfusion-transmitted infections") AND ("prevalence" OR "epidemiology") in combination with "hepatitis C" OR "HCV" for hepatitis C. Only cross-sectional studies, which had appropriate measurement and sampling methods, were selected.
Results: The review of the literature showed that the global prevalence of HCV was 854.09 in 100,000. The highest and lowest rates of HCV among WHO divisions were seen in the African region by 2503.61 and the European region by 450.21 in 100,000, respectively. The highest and lowest rates among the countries were seen in Cambodia by 14,670 and Netherlands by 25.370 in 100,000.
Conclusions: It seems that strategies for prevention of HCV infection in blood donations should be considered for the policymakers; low prevalence countries are suggested to share their knowledge and countries with lower socioeconomic status should be aided to control the HCV infection among their blood donors.
Farideh Shishehbor; Zahra Salimi; Masood Veissi; Amal Saki Malehi; Mahdi Shiri-Nasab; Bizhan Helli
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Low Glycemic Index (GI) and high Satiety Index (SI) foods have been associated with the decreased risk of chronic diseases and obesity.
Objectives: The present study examined the effect of oak flour on GI, Glycemic Load (GL), and SI of white bread.
Methods: This randomized ...
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Background: Low Glycemic Index (GI) and high Satiety Index (SI) foods have been associated with the decreased risk of chronic diseases and obesity.
Objectives: The present study examined the effect of oak flour on GI, Glycemic Load (GL), and SI of white bread.
Methods: This randomized crossover trial was conducted at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, during the year 2017. To determine the GI, 10 healthy subjects consumed three bread types (white bread, bread containing 25% oak flour, and bread containing 50% oak flour) and reference food (glucose) containing 50 g of carbohydrates on separate occasions. Finger-prick blood samples were collected at fasting (0 min) and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after meal consumption. To determine the SI, 20 healthy individuals consumed 240 kcal portions of test bread types (white bread, bread containing 25% oak flour, and bread containing 50% oak flour) on separate occasions. The satiety ratings were collected at fasting and every 15 min for over 2 h after food ingestion to evaluate the SI.
Results: There were no significant differences in the mean of blood glucose Incremental Areas Under the Curve (IAUC) between the test bread types (white bread: 2,883.2 ± 353.7 vs. 25% oak flour bread: 3,163.1 ± 214.7 vs. 50% oak flour bread: 3,245.1 ± 255.9) (P > 0.05). Also, no significant differences were observed between the mean of bread GIs (P > 0.05). The satiety IAUCs of both oak bread types (25% oak flour bread: 377.17 ± 59.83, 50% oak flour bread: 427.87 ± 55.46) were significantly greater than that of white bread (248.55 ± 46.45) (P < 0.001). The SI of both oak bread samples (25% oak flour bread: 202.48 ± 7.92, 50% oak flour bread: 266.25 ± 11.66) was significantly greater than that of white bread (100) (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The addition of oak flour did not modify the GI; however, it increased the SI of white bread and created a greater feeling of satiety.
Hassan Araghizadeh; Mahmoudreza Peyravi; Simintaj Sharififar; Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Background: A large number of natural disasters, including floods and earthquakes, occur in Iran annually. Recognition of the factors influencing the civil-military coordination in natural disasters is amongst the prerequisites in disaster management. Experts perspectives towards coordination in ...
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Background: A large number of natural disasters, including floods and earthquakes, occur in Iran annually. Recognition of the factors influencing the civil-military coordination in natural disasters is amongst the prerequisites in disaster management. Experts perspectives towards coordination in these disasters can also be indicative of the importance of this subject. Given the fact that no studies have been carried out regarding the relationship between the civil and military forces in the aftermath of natural disasters in Iran, these factors can be recognized according to individuals and experts viewpoints.
Objectives: The present study aimed at extracting the factors influencing the civil-military coordination in the course of natural disasters in Iran through interviewing experts in 2019.
Methods: The present qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 20 key informants who were selected via snowball, convenience, and purposive sampling methods. A session was also held with the presence of the panel of experts. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis in order to extract the factors influencing the civil-military coordination in natural disasters in Iran.
Results: The factors influencing the coordination between the military and civil organizations were categorized into personnel, stuff, and system issues (structure). In addition, 33 subcategories were also identified. The specialists emphasized that holding instructional courses and regular and periodic exercises could enhance coordination in response to disasters.
Conclusions: The present study showed that coordination between civil and military organizations in the management of natural disasters in Iran is faced with many challenges that should be overcome and reduced through providing organizational, political, and structural supports. Recognition of the factors influencing coordination can be effective in line with the correct management of natural disasters. Furthermore, organizations can be made readier for taking better measures in disasters according to the extracted factors. In order to provide a proper response to natural disasters, all coordination components should be elevated simultaneously and coherently.
Nasrin Abdol; Mahbubeh Setorki
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Background: One of the most important herbal remedies in Iran is Echium amoenum L. It has been used in traditional Iranian pharmaceutical formulations and has provided an interesting area of research for various drug activities.
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant ...
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Background: One of the most important herbal remedies in Iran is Echium amoenum L. It has been used in traditional Iranian pharmaceutical formulations and has provided an interesting area of research for various drug activities.
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant and antianxiolytic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Echium amoenum L. in a socially isolated model of male mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Balb/c mice weighing 25 to 30 g were divided into five groups of 10 mice. The control group received normal saline. The treatment groups received the Echium amoenum L. hydroalcoholic extract for five days at doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg via i.p injection and the negative control group received social isolation and normal saline.
Results: Echium amoenum L. hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced immobility in the forced swimming test in mice exposed to social isolation stress. Echium amoenum L. extract at doses of 75 and 100 mg/kg significantly increased the number of crossings in the center of the open-field box. The time of staying in the open arms increased significantly in groups receiving the extract at 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg. Treatment with Echium amoenum L. extract reduced the serum and brain tissue levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde in mice exposed to social isolation stress and enhanced the total antioxidant capacity of serum and brain tissue.
Conclusions: Modulating the nitric oxide system and reducing oxidative stress may be essential mechanisms of Echium amoenum L. extract in reducing depression and anxiety in mice.
Mehrab Sharifi-Sedeh; Ali Ardalan; S. Ali Torabi; Kiyoumars Allahbakhshi; Davoud Khorasani-Zavareh
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Context: Humanitarian logistics aims to reduce the suffering of disaster victims by fulfilling their immediate needs. A key component of humanitarian logistics is the prepositioning of relief items (such as water and food) for effective emergency response.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore ...
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Context: Humanitarian logistics aims to reduce the suffering of disaster victims by fulfilling their immediate needs. A key component of humanitarian logistics is the prepositioning of relief items (such as water and food) for effective emergency response.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors affecting the prepositioning of relief items for natural disasters.
Data Sources: This was a systematic review. Relevant articles were retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. We also assessed other gray literature.
Data Extraction: Data were summarized and analyzed through thematic content analysis. Overall, 22 final articles were included in the study. Articles that referred to the prepositioning of relief items were included in the study.
Results: Factors affecting the prepositioning of relief items were categorized into four main categories and eight sub-categories. These categories included site selection, preparation, and management of warehouse (with two sub-categories of warehouse site selection, warehouse workforce); risk management studies (with two sub-categories of uncertainty, and demand estimation); infrastructures (with two sub-categories of transportation infrastructures, and other infrastructures); and financial and sociopolitical factors (with two sub-categories of financial problems and limitations sociopolitical factors).
Conclusions: Appropriate identification of factors that affect relief-item prepositioning can help decision-makers design appropriate models for prepositioning.
Hao Wang; Cai-Xia Ba; Xue-Feng Bai; Pei-Long Zhang; Gang-Ling Zhang; Fei Yu; Bing-Chang Tian; Zuo-Jun Li; Shui-Ying Zhou
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Recently, some studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRs; miRNAs) mainly regulate gene expression in the transcription of microRNAs. However, the role of microRNAs in cell development, differentiation, proliferation, and other physiological processes remains unclear.
Objectives: The ...
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Background: Recently, some studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRs; miRNAs) mainly regulate gene expression in the transcription of microRNAs. However, the role of microRNAs in cell development, differentiation, proliferation, and other physiological processes remains unclear.
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the expression level of microRNA-195 in the pathological tissues of patients with cardiac carcinoma and its clinical effects.
Methods: Patients with primary cardiac carcinoma were enrolled as the study subjects. The tumor and adjacent tissue samples for cancer pathology were obtained during the operation. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of microRNA-195 and its correlation with the clinicopathological features of cardiac carcinoma was analyzed.
Results: A total of 64 patients were included in this study. Firstly, the expression rate of miR-195 in cardiac carcinoma tissues showed a significant decreasing trend (3.65 ± 0.42 vs. 2.05 ± 0.33) (P < 0.001) and the actual expression level of miR-195 in pathological tissues of cardiac carcinoma was negatively correlated with the malignant degree of pathological tissues (P = 0.028), invasion (P = 0.037), and lymph node metastasis of cardiac carcinoma (P = 0.023), but miR-195 was not correlated with age (P = 0.615) and gender (P = 0.465).
Conclusions: The expression of microRNA-195 is closely correlated to the severity of cardiac carcinoma and the occurrence of lymph node metastasis.
Ahmad Soltani
Volume 22, Issue 1 , 2020
Abstract
The Arbaeen Pilgrimage is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, which is held on the 40th day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the third Imam of Shia. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), mass gathering refers to a structured or spontaneous event held with ...
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The Arbaeen Pilgrimage is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, which is held on the 40th day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the third Imam of Shia. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), mass gathering refers to a structured or spontaneous event held with the participation of at least 25,000 people at a specific site for a certain duration and purpose (1). More than 20 million people from all around the world march towards Imam Husseins shrine in Karbala within 10 to 20 days. The pilgrims walk hundreds of kilometers for a few days to reach Karbala. Religious organizations and the general public are the main providers of water, food, shelter, residence, and treatment facilities for pilgrims.
